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Has anyone else experienced this request? Is this normal. The wording contains phrases like "it is expected that you (invoked health care proxy) will remain available for ongoing consultation as well as participate in the decision making. In the event that you cannot or do not wish to be available, you agree to notify the staff so that an alternate agent/proxy can be called upon."



They already have a copy of the health care proxy form which lists the alternative.



I do not sign anything without speaking to an attorney. Based on other's experience do I need to even contact an attorney or best to ignore what appears to be an outrageious, unnecessary request?



I have to travel with work at times....I assume the alternative steps in with proper notification that I am out of unreachable.

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thanks. I agree. I do not sign anything I am not comfortable with as well as do not want to pay extra legal fees at this point. To me it is so what of a condescending form.
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This is likely the norm in this particular Practice. Just know that anything of that manner that you sign "agreeing to" means very little overall legally. Even agreements to agree to arbitration often mean nothing when the heavy guns of attorneys are called in.

Feel free to question the form, and ask them if everyone serving as proxy for a loved one who is a patient of this Practice is required to sign such a form.

The truth is that if you're health care proxy this should be something you are willing to do in any case, so you should not, I would think, have a problem overall with this. You can't be forced, of course, to sign ANYTHING, but they can't be forced to treat your loved one as a regular patient, either.

As to this "alternative proxy" thing, that is not in your power to designate; simply put a note to ask principal (patient you are acting as proxy for) for an "alternative" as this is not in your power to designate.

I often do dog and cat sitting, and even in that capacity I request a note with permission to treat, vet name and etc. and also ask for contacts information, or persons I should call if there is an emergency or questions. Seems to me the practice here is trying to be thorough in their care of your loved one.

As to your question, no, I have not (as yet) ever seen this done.
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AlvaDeer May 2023
Whoops, just noticed that the MD has already said that the principal is incompetent. This means she can no longer appoint an alternate. You can give next of kin information, however.
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My brothers and I were all HCPs for mom. We would let the facility know if one of us was going to be out of town/unreachable for any amount of time.

I think they are just confirming that you understand what the responsibility entailed is.
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IF you don't generally sign any documents w/o an attorney's advice, don't do so in this case.

This is probably simply a form they need to have to be able to locate someone who is familiar/related to the patient in case of the need to make a decision.

It's not really, outrageous. It's called 'covering all the bases'. Trying to find someone who will step up if needed is pretty basic in healthcare.
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CaringinVA May 2023
Welcome back MidKid! Hope you were able to enjoy your getaway.
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I would just attach your proxy to their request and not sign theirs.
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